ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
ARMY CHIEF VISITS BHOPAL
General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Army Staff concluded a two day visit to Bhopal today. Lieutenant General JS Nain, Southern Army Commander was also present during the visit. The COAS was briefed by the Sudarshan Chakra Corps Commander and other commanders on operational preparedness and on the reforms being undertaken towards transforming the formation into a modern, cohesive, lean and agile war fighting force. The Army Chief was appreciative of the formation’s high levels of operational preparedness despite the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 pandemic. He complimented their proactive approach in undertaking flood relief operations at Datia, Shivpuri, Sheopur, Morena, Ashoknagar and Jalon of Madhya Pradesh. The COAS also interacted with troops and exhorted them to continue working with zeal and be prepared for any future operational challenges.
The Army Chief later visited Headquarters Paschim Madhya Pradesh Sub Area. He appreciated the role of the Sub Area in assisting the civil administration in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up Adhoc COVID Isolation Facilities, provision and repair of critical life-saving equipment and augmentation of Civil Medical Infrastructure. The COAS also visited 3 EME Centre at Bairagarh Military Station and reviewed the training being imparted to mould future generation of soldiers of the Indian Army.
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Special Service and Features
Youth have a great responsibility in wiping out corruption
Field Outreach Bureau, Kottayam under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting conducted a webinar on Vigilance week celebration and Youth. The Webinar was organised in ço-ordination with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta & Kottayam.
Today's youth have a greater responsibility in wiping out corruption in the society informed Shri Hari C S, Inspector of Police & Anti Corruption Bureau, Pathanamthitta. He said youth should ensure their integrity first and should not shy away from doing what is right for the society. He also read out the Integrity pledge for participants.
Shri Ali Sabrin, District Youth Coordinator, Thiruvananthapuram while inaugurating the webinar said that the Vigilance week celebrations and pledge were all just a reminder for actions to be taken throughout the year.Smt. Sudha S Namboothiry, Assistant Director,Field Outreach Bureau, Kottayam moderated.Shri T Sarinlal,Field Publicity Assistant, Field Outreach Bureau , Kottayam welcomed and Shri Sandeep,District Youth Coordinator, Pathanamthitta proposed vote of thanks.
30 volunteers participated in the webinar. The Integrity Pledge is available on the website http://pledge.cvc.nic.in. The pledge taker is provided with an e- certificate by the Central Vigilance Commission.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Clearance of proposals for pending vacancies in the High Courts
Judges of the High Courts are appointed as per the procedure laid down in the Memorandum of Procedure prepared in 1998 pursuant to the Supreme Court Judgment of October 6, 1993  read with their Advisory Opinion of October 28, 1998 . As per MoP, initiation of proposal for appointment of Judges in the High Courts vests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court. All the names recommended by High Court Collegiums are sent with the views of the Government to the Supreme Court Collegiums  for advice. Government, however, appoints only those persons as Judges of High Courts who are recommended by SCC
As on 04.02.2022, against the sanctioned strength of 1098 Judges in the High Courts, 687 Judges are in position, leaving 411 vacancies of Judges to be filled. Government has appointed 120 High Court Judges in the year 2021. At present, 172 proposals are at various stages of processing between the Government and the Supreme Court Collegiums. Further recommendations from High Court Collegiums are yet to be received in respect of remaining 239 vacancies in High Courts. A statement showing High Court wise appointments notified during 2021 and details of proposals which are at various stages of processing between the Government and the SCC as on 04.02.2022 is at Annexure below:
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|
Sl. No.
|
|
Name of the High Court
|
|
No. of appointments notified during 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2021
|
|
No. of proposals in processing between the Government and the SCC as on 04.02.2022
|
|
1
|
|
Allahabad
|
|
17
|
|
27
|
|
2
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
02
|
|
09
|
|
3
|
|
Bombay
|
|
06
|
|
24
|
|
4
|
|
Calcutta
|
|
08
|
|
13
|
|
5
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
03
|
|
01
|
|
6
|
|
Delhi
|
|
02
|
|
20
|
|
7
|
|
Gauhati
|
|
06
|
|
-
|
|
8
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
07
|
|
-
|
|
9
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
01
|
|
-
|
|
10
|
|
J & K and Ladakh
|
|
02
|
|
04
|
|
11
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
04
|
|
01
|
|
12
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
06
|
|
04
|
|
13
|
|
Kerala
|
|
12
|
|
03
|
|
14
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
08
|
|
12
|
|
15
|
|
Madras
|
|
05
|
|
08
|
|
16
|
|
Manipur
|
|
-
|
|
01
|
|
17
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
18
|
|
Orissa
|
|
04
|
|
05
|
|
19
|
|
Patna
|
|
06
|
|
23
|
|
20
|
|
Punjab& Haryana
|
|
06
|
|
-
|
|
21
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
08
|
|
04
|
|
22
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
23
|
|
Telangana
|
|
07
|
|
13
|
|
24
|
|
Tripura
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
25
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
120
|
|
172
|
|
This information was given by Shri Kiren Rijiju Union Minster of Law and Justice, in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Development in North-Eastern Region
The Budgetary allocation  for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region  for the year 2019-20 is Rs3000 crore. Against this, as on 21st November 2019, an amount of Rs. 1728.04 crore has been spent .
The total number of developmental projects taken up by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in the NER during the last five years and its status of completionare as under:
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|
No. of projects Sanctioned
|
|
No. of projects Completed
|
|
657
|
|
652
Ministry of DoNER has an online e-portal/Project Management System for submission, monitoring and follow up of projects, which keeps track on financial, physical and visual progress for timely completion of projects. Ministry has also appointed Chief Nodal Officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and Nodal Officers of the rank of Director for each State of North Eastern Region to liaise with State officials and expedite the progress of the projects.There is constant review of the progress of utilization of funds with the State Governments at all levels including visits by the Senior Officials to the States and the Ministry remains in constant touch with the officials concerned of the State Governments through video conferencing and other IT tools.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh’s press statement at media interaction in Moscow
Following is the text of statement issued to press by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in Moscow on June 23, 2020:
I am in Moscow at the invitation of the Russian Ministry of Defence to attend the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day Parade which is a most auspicious occasion for Russia and the whole world. As we remember and pay tribute to the immense sacrifice of the Russian people for victory in the Second World War. Indian soldiers participated in the war effort in the millions and suffered immense casualties. Many of them were part of the war efforts to provide assistance to the Soviet Army. Therefore, it is a great honor that an Indian Military contingent will be marching in the Red Square tomorrow. This is a sign of everlasting friendship between the armed forces of both our countries.
My visit to Moscow is the first foreign visit from India of an official delegation after the COVID pandemic. This is a sign of our special friendship. Despite all the difficulties of the pandemic, our bilateral relations are keeping good contacts at the various levels. We look forward to the visit of His Excellency President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later this year.
India-Russia relations are one of Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Our defence relationship is one of its important pillars. I had an opportunity to review our defence relationship with Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov and I thank him for the honour for visiting me in this hotel, despite the restrictions of the pandemic. My discussions were very positive and productive. I have been assured that ongoing contracts will be maintained and not just maintained, in a number of cases will be taken forward in a shorter time. All our proposals have received positive response from the Russian side. I am fully satisfied with my discussions. Earlier this morning, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar had discussions with his counterpart Deputy Defence Minister Fomin. I can say with confidence that the traditional friendship between India & Russia remain strong. Our mutual interests are solid and we look to future cooperation in the spirit of our special friendship.
I look forward to participating in the 75th Victory Parade tomorrow. I convey my greetings to the friendly people of Russia, specially the veterans, who have contributed so much to our common security.
Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA issues order to exempt certain activities regarding Minor Forest Produce, Plantations, NBFCs, Cooperative Credit Societies and Construction in Rural Areas from Lockdown Restrictions to fight COVID-19
Ministry of Home Affairs  has issued an order to exempt certain activities under the consolidated revised guidelines to all Ministries/Departments , regarding the Nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19.
The order exempts from lockdown restrictions certain activities as below:
- Collection, harvesting and processing of Minor Forest Produce / Non-timber Forest Produce  by Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers in forest areas.
- Bamboo, coconut, arecanut, cocoa, spices plantations and their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing.
- Non-banking financial institutions  including Housing Finance Companies  and Micro Finance Companies , with bare minimum staff.
- Cooperative Credit Societies.
- Construction activities in rural areas to include water supply and sanitation , laying/erection of power transmission lines and laying of telecom optical fiber and cable along with related activities.
Click here Order to see the Order Document
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Prakash Javadekar inaugurates exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy at Russia
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change , ShriPrakashJavadekar inaugurated a unique exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy at YasnayaPolyana, the birth place of Tolstoy at Russia today. The exhibition presented and highlighted their correspondence and their thought process in a very artistic manner.
Local Duma member, Natalia Pilyus, Director of Tolstoy Cultural Centre and over 100 academicians were present on this special occasion.
The Minister, who is on a visit to Russia to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting also, inaugurated a special day-long seminar organised to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi as part of 150 years of celebrating the Mahatma.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Javadekar said Leo Tolstoy had a great influence on Mahatma Gandhi. "Leo Tolstoy's message of love, no greed and truth found resonance in Gandhi Ji's thought process," the Minister said, adding “Gandhi ji wrote five letters to Tolstoy and sought his guidance. Gandhi Ji was then in his 40s and was working as a Lawyer and activist in South Africa then and Tolstoy was in his 80s."
Recalling upon the deep rooted bond that was shared betweenboth GandhiJi and Tolstoy, the Minister said,"There was love and affection between Gandhi and Tolstoy and it is visible in their correspondence as well as their exchange of books".
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Seafood products export from India during the last three years has increases from US$ 6679 million in FY 2019-20 to an all-time high record figure of US$ 7759.58 million in FY 2021-22
Seafood products export from India during the last three years has increased from US$ 6679 million in FY 2019-20 to an all-time high record figure of US$ 7759.58 million in FY 2021-22, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel said in reply to a parliamentary question today.
The seafood exports in last 3 years is tabulated as below:-
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|
Year
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Value in US$ 
|
|
6,679.00
|
|
5,957.00
|
|
7,759.58
Further, quantity of sea products exported in last five years, year-wise is given in the table below:
|
|
Year
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
Quantity

|
|
13,77,244
|
|
13,92,559
|
|
12,89,651
|
|
11,49,510
|
|
13,69,264
The Government through Marine Products Export Development Authority  provides financial assistance to the seafood processors/exporters for the development of infrastructure and up gradation of new technologies in the fisheries sector all over the country with an aim to bring in more investment in high end value addition and impart sills to workers in the processing units for producing such products so as to enhance the unit value realization in export. During the period 2017-18 to 2021-22, total financial assistance of approx. Rs. 99.00 Crores have been extended by MPEDA.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh Odisha and Maharashtrra with purchase of over 295.23 LMTs of paddy upto 20.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 250.55 LMT showing an increase of 17.83 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 295.23 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 201.36 LMT which is 68.20 % of total procurement.
About 25.83 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 55740.88 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 20.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 67040.30 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.362.39 Crores benefitting 38880 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of 57285.78 MT which is an increase of 17.02% for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 20.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha. Till 20.11.2020 a quantity of 2022869 cotton bales valuing Rs. 6190.96 Crore has been procured benefitting 402576 farmers.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
CSC launches First Cash and Carry Store in Kanth, Muradabad 
CSC will now promote Cash and Carry store one in every block across the country
Common Services Centres  under Digital India mission are providing Citizen Centric Services. CSCs are delivering many government and non-government services to citizens in rural India across the country. They have also launched many products: like Patanjali, i-Ball, Samsung and signed agreement with many service providers. Common Services Centres  are also selling IFFCO fertilizers and seeds through its vast network in the country.
In its endeavor to promote rural marketing and create employment, CSC has launched its first Cash and Carry store in Kanth Tehsil of Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh. Efforts are on to have one cash & carry store in every block. The store currently has products of Godrej, Patanjali, JIVA, Crompton, i-Ball. The store also offers free membership benefits to other CSC VLEs and government employees.
Each cash and carry store will provide employment minimum 4 persons directly and indirectly. Clubbed with economic census initiative, stage has been set to create 25 lakh job opportunities in the near future in under–exposed parts of India.
NNK/MD
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
INCOME LIMIT FOR POST-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP
Persons whose family has gross annual income below Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum are identified as EWSs for the benefit of reservation. Family here, includes the person who seeks benefit of reservation, his/her parents and siblings below the age of 18 years as also his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years. Also income includes income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc.
Under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC, EBC and DNTs and the Post Matric Scholarship for SCs  Scheme, scholarship is provided to those students whose parent’s /guradian’s income doesn’t exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in a written reply in Lok Sabha, today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Compulsory implementation of FASTag from 15th December 2019
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to postpone the date of compulsory implementation of FASTags on National Highway Toll Plazas to 15th of December, 2019. The scheme was earlier to launched from the 1st of December, 2019.
In order to save fuel, time and pollution and to ensure seamless movement of traffic, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched National Electronic Toll Collection program  which provide for collection of user fee through FASTag based on RFID technology. It was decided that all lanes  in Fee Plazas shall be declared as 'FASTag lane of Fee Plaza' by 1st of December 2019.
Accordingly, NHAI has equipped all Fee Plazas with Electronic Toll Collection System. For ease in availability of FASTag , NHAI has launched MyFASTag APP whereby all information regarding FASTag can be obtained along with location of POSs and charging/ linking with NHAI/other wallets or bank accounts.
However it has been found that many citizens have still not enabled their vehicles with FASTag due to various reasons. Accordingly to provide some more time to citizens to buy and put FASTag on their vehicles, it has now been decided that charging of double User Fee from vehicles which enter FASTag lane without FASTag will start from 15th of December 2019 instead of 1st of December 2019.
NHAI FASTag shall continue to be provided free of cost till 15 Dec 2019.
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Ministry of Women and Child Development
|
STUDY ON IMPACT OF PMMVY
As per recently released National Family Health Survey-V  data, 57.0 percent women in the age group of 15-49 years are estimated to be anaemic in the country. The details on State/UT-wise, including Bihar, prevalence of anaemia are placed at Annexure-I. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the National Health Mission is implementing ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy’ in all 36 States/UTs.
The Year-wise and State/ UT-wise details of number of beneficiaries enrolled and total amount disbursed for maternity benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana  since inception and till 22.11.2021 is at Annexure-II.
The PMMVY is reviewed periodically through Video Conferences with States/UTs and through National and Regional level workshops for its successful implementation. The operational difficulties faced by the States/UTs in implementation of the scheme, as and when reported, are addressed through mutual/ technical discussions. The Ministry also celebrates ‘Matru Vandana Saptah’ every year to intensify implementation of the scheme and create a healthy competition amongst States/ UTs. States/ UTs undertake various IEC and Behaviour Change Communication  activities such as, prabhat pheri, nukkad natak, newspaper advertisement, airing radio jingles, selfie campaign, door to door campaign, community programmes at field functionary levels etc.
This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of minority stake of BDR Pharmaceuticals International Private Limited by Multiples Private Equity Fund III, SRF Transnational Holdings Limited, Balkrishna Industries Limited, Dharmayug Investments Limited, QRG Investments and Holdings Limited, Mr. Nishant K. Agarwal and Ms. Mallika Srinivasan
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition of minority stake of BDR Pharmaceuticals International Private Limited  by Multiples Private Equity Fund III, SRF Transnational Holdings Limited , Balkrishna Industries Limited , Dharmayug Investments Limited , QRG Investments and Holdings Limited , Mr. Nishant K. Agarwal and Ms. Mallika Srinivasan .
SRF Transnational, BIL, DIL, QRG, Mr. Agarwal, and Ms. Srinivasan are collectively referred to as the ‘Financial Investors’. The Multiples Fund III, Financial Investors and the Target are collectively referred to as the ‘Parties’.
The proposed combination relates to acquisition of minority stake by Multiples Fund III and Financial Investors in the Target. The acquisition of equity shares of the Target and falls under Section 5 of the Competition Act, 2002. A brief description of the Parties is provided below:
Multiples Fund III: Multiples Fund III is a Category II Alternative Investment Fund with the Securities and Exchange Board of India and is being managed by Multiples Alternate Asset Management Private Limited. It belongs to the Multiples group, which, through its portfolio companies, is directly or indirectly engaged in sectors including film exhibition, financial services, banking, etc. in India.
SRF Transnational: It is a non-banking financial company  registered with the Reserve Bank of India . It is engaged in the business of investment in securities of other companies.
BIL: It is engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling of off-highway tyres.
DIL: It is an NBFC registered with the RBI.
QRG: It is an NBFC registered with the RBI and holds investments in several companies.
Mr. Nishant K. Agarwal: He is an independent investor.
Ms. Mallika Srinivasan: She is an independent investor.
BDR: It is a pharmaceutical company specialised in four therapeutic segments i.e., oncology, critical care, gynecology, and neurology. It is engaged in business of:  manufacture and sale of active pharmaceutical ingredients;  manufacture and sale of formulations; and  contract development and manufacturing services.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.